A literary shopping list for the reader

By Lauren Roberts

If you have a reader on your holiday shopping list, you may want to keep this column handy. All of these books have been previously reviewed in R&R, but are included here because I think they would make great gifts if they suit your recipient’s tastes.

100 Suns by Michael Light (Knopf) This is a brilliant, gorgeously disturbing and riveting photographic presentation of the power of destruction taken to its ultimate level.

100 Things You Don’t Need a Man For and 100 More Things You Don’t Need a Man For by Alison Jenkins (Laurel Glen) Clear, concise amusing home improvement books suitable for anyone who wants to do it herself (or himself).

American Dish: 100 Recipes for Ten Delicious Decades by Merrill Shindler (Angel City Press) Any food fan, culinary nostalgia buff or Americana enthusiast will appreciate this excellent, witty look at 20th century cuisine trends.

The 25 Best World War II Sites: Pacific Theatre by Chuck Thompson (Greenline Publications); Baby’s Day Out in Southern California by JoBea Holt (Gem Guides); California Ghost Town Trails by Broman and Leadabrand (Gem Guides);Food Festival, U.S.A. by Becky Mercuri (Laurel Glen); Fun with the Family by Laura Kath and Pamela Price (Globe Pequot); Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of California: A History and Guide by Remi Nadeau (Crest Publishers);

Great Ghost Towns of the West by Till and Jordan (Graphic Arts Center Publishing; The Southwest Inside Out by Wiewandt and Wilks (Wild Horizons); and Tours for Free California by Jodi Jill (Bent Light Media) Wonderful travel guides for the upcoming year, they are worth getting now so you can enjoy the planning as much as the trips.

Americans in Paris: Great Short Stories of the City of Light selected by Steven Gilbar (Capra Press) and Santa Barbara Stories edited by Steven Gilbar (John Daniel and Company) Two delicious collections of short stories by excellent writers, each built around a special city.

Among Stone Giants by Jo Anne Van Tilburg (Scribner) This is a well-written and compelling story of an unusual woman amid an unusual culture.

Anacacho by Louise Gaylord (Little Moose Press) A local author’s enthralling first book in a new mystery series; it won the prestigious PMA award for Mystery/ Suspense in 2003.

An Open Book by Michael Dirda (Norton) and On Many Books by Gabriel Zaid (Paul Dry Books) Readers fascinated by books, reading and publishing will enjoy these unusual takes on their passion.

At Work: The Art of California Labor edited by Mark Johnson (Heyday Books) and The Harvest Gypsies: On the Road to the Grapes of Wrath (Heyday Books) These two superb books look at the history and value of labor in 20th century California.

The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide (rev. ed.) by Dickinson and Dyer (Firefly Books) and Splendors of the Universe: A Practical Guide to Photographing the Night Sky by Dickinson and Newton (Firefly Books) Astronomy buffs will love these books that are filled with practical information and stunning photographs; best for those with some experience.

The Boldness of Boys: Famous Men Talk About Growing Up and The Greatness of Girls: Famous Women Talk About Growing Up by Susan Strong (Andrews McMeel) Two encouraging inspirational books for young people aged approximately eight to 15.

The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty by Caroline Alexander (Viking) An outstanding book that provides considerable revision of an infamous mutiny held hostage to its fictional legend for far too long.

Earth edited by James F. Luhr (DK Publishing) A stunning overview of our planet’s life processes, this book possesses everything you’d want to know in a skillfully edited albeit abbreviated, form.
Herencia: The Anthology of Hispanic Literature of the United States edited by Nicolas Kanellos (Oxford University Press) A fascinating read that explores historically and culturally significant aspects of Hispanic literature.

Margrethe Mather & Edward Weston: A Passionate Collaboration by Beth Gates Warren (Santa Barbara Museum of Art) This elegant volume showcases the works of these two accomplished 20th century photographers.

The Meaning of Everything by Simon Winchester (Oxford University Press) A spellbinding history of the making of the first Oxford English Dictionary, it is perfect for word lovers and English history buffs.
Mister Rogers Parenting Book and Mister Rogers Playtime by Fred Rogers (Running Press) There are no better gifts for soon-to-be parents, new parents or parents of young children from a veritable hero who is sorely missed.

Rip Squeak and His Friends and Rip Squeak and His Friends Discover the Treasure by Susan Yost-Filgate and Leonard Filgate (Rip Squeak Press) These are the first two in a stunningly designed series for children up to approximately seven years of age.

Sand in my Bra and Other Misadventures edited by Jennifer Leo (Travelers’ Tales, Inc.) and Traveling While Married by Mary-Lou Weisman (Algonquin Books) If you enjoy reading about traveling as much as traveling, you will find delightful, amusing stories in these small volumes.
Southern California in the 50s by Charles Phoenix (Angel City Press) An entertaining look at the “ideal” life as presented by advertisers of the decade; the accompanying text adds a well-written cultural perspective.

This Damn House by Margo Kaufman (Villard) Although out of print, this book is worth seeking out for its appalling funny look at home remodeling.

Walk Santa Barbara by John McKinney (Olympus Press) A great book for anyone—local or visitor—who really wants to get to know the area.

What is Beautiful? What is Death? What is God? What is Love? by Etan Boritzer (Veronica Lane Books) Eleven books will eventually make up this series of children’s books; these four are excellent.

Women on War: An International Anthology of Writings from Antiquity to the Present edited by Daniela Gioseffi (The Feminist Press) This book offers thought-provoking and enlightening presentations on a diverse range of war-related topics.

Zingerman’s Guide to Good Eating: How to Select the Best Bread, Cheese, Olive Oil, Pasta, Chocolate and Much More by Ari Weinzweig (Houghton Mifflin) Any food connoisseur will appreciate this entertaining yet straightforward guide to the world’s best food ingredients.
Lauren Roberts can be reached at reviews-reflections@verizon.net.